Cushion tie plate



Feb. 21, 1928.

R. E. TUPPER CUSHION TIE] PLATE Filed July 11, 1927 Russel E. Tu JE-KI-H vEHflJ-r AHUYWE Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

' UNITED STATES PATENTS oFFIcE.

Application filed July 11,

My invention relates to improvements in railroad tie plates. It has for its ob ects to provide a novel, and improved cushloned t1e plate to minimize the cutting of t e plates into railroad ties; to provide for the interchangeability of the wearing part of the t1e plate, rather than requiring tie replacement; to minimize original and replacement costs by cushioning to minimize tie tamping requlrements; to confine the deteriorating effects of weather conditions to a limited tie area; to protect from the weather and moisture that portion of the tie under the rail base, and to thereby preserve its resistance; by cushioning the rail to provide improvedriding qualities; to provide an improved seating of the tie plate; and to provide the various other advantages and results made evident from the following specification.

I accomplish the objects of my invention as shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which Figure 1 is a cross sectional View of a rail and my improved tie plate in position thereunder. Figure 2 is a View of the under side of the plate.

It will be recognized that the high cost of wood ties, and the required replacement thereof has rendered of prime importance the use of tie plates, and particularly tie plates designed not only to avoid the cutting of the rail into the tie, but also adequately protect that portion of the tie beneath the plate, from moisture and weather conditions, and at the same time providing a cushioned eflect supported upon that portion of the tie so protected. The accumulation of moisture beneath the plate, gathered during wet weather and resulting in deterioration, has heretofore been largely detrimental to longevity of ties. Tie plate construction heretofore used has created channels in the tie forming a conduit for the moisture to enter beneath the plate, thereby creating a source of future deterioration and trouble. My improved plate is designed to restrict the holding flanges on the plate to its outer edges, and by making the flange continuous fence about and protect that portion of the tie beneath the plate. Any moisture collected, in the tie channels created b the flanges B being confined to the outer e ge of the plate is quickly evaporated and dried up 1927. Serial No. 204,733.

by action of the atmosphere as the weather clears. I prefer to form the cushion portion 0 from a suitable fibrous material, which in use will compact to a certain degree by pressure created by the passing trains. The cushion provides a resilience to the rail and by compacting allows the protected area of the tie to be maintained at a level above the bottom of the edge channels created by the flanges B resulting in a sort of a table about the channels the elevation of which excludes moisture from its surface. The action of the plate is such in its protection to the tie that resulting wear comes largely on the cushion C. Replacement thereof is inexpensive and simple in comparison with tie replacement. It is feasible to use my improved tie plate Without the cushion memher and thereby secure much of its tie conserving qualities. The holding flanges B may optionally be positioned either at the edges of the plate or inside thereof.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, A shows the rail, B the outer portion of the plate, B the holding flanges on the plate, C the cushion portion of the plate fitted between the flanges B D the rail holding spikes, D the spike holes. E shows a ridge 0n the plate against which the outer edge of the rail may abut to avoid outward lateral movement. Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the VIGWS:

lVhile I have illustrated and described a preferred construction for carrying my invention into eflect, this is capable of .varia tion or modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the exact details of' construction herein set forth but'desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my lnvention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of Amer- 1ca:

The combination in a rail tie plate, a rectangular body portion for receiving thereon the rail and provided with a plurality of openings therethrough through which the rail spikes are adapted to be driven into a tie, flanged portions on the edges of the body portion and extending downwardly into engagement'with the tie to support the body portion thereon and to form a closed cavity between the tie and the under side of the 5 body portion, the tie engaging edges of the flanges being relatively blunt to prevent cutting or rupture of the tie, and a filler mate- 'rial carried in the cavity and compressed between the under side of the body and the tie to excludemoisture and to partially ab- '10 sorb shocks and theeweight of the rail and load on the tie.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RUSSELL E. TUPPER. 

